Cross
Training and Yoga
Time
is at an all time premium. It doesn’t matter if you are obsessed
with golf or tennis; running or aerobics; polo, dressage or
jumping; working out or any other fitness regimen. Given the
time pressures of modern life, all we want to do is get on
with our passion. With so much on our plates, there’s no time
to waste with any other physical activity.
Yet
scientific and physiological research shows conclusively that
in order to excel at any particular sport, cross training
is essential. Why? When you specialize in a physical activity,
soft tissue (meaning your muscles, tendons, ligaments and
fascia) “habituates” to its repetitive movement and you develop
“muscle memory.” That’s how you learn and that’s how you become
physically proficient. It’s also called the “training effect,”
yet the training effect is also your favorite sport’s primary
liability.
As
you become increasingly proficient at your sport; some of
your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia become strong
(and oftentimes over tight) while other soft tissue becomes
flexible in their requisite areas. As soft tissue habituates
to your specific movements, your body is at increased risk
for injury as you push your limits.
That’s
where cross training comes in. Unless you cross train, your
habituated soft tissue tends to become stressed and is likely
to break down causing injury. Cross training isn't just for
the lame, the bored or the burned-out. It isn’t just for professional
athletes or top amateur competitors. It’s a must for everyone
who is dedicated to one sport regardless of age. That's because
cross training not only provides a break from the routine,
but its affect on soft tissue improves total body fitness
and decreases risk of injury.
That’s
where yoga comes in. An appropriate yoga practice has a profound
affect on virtually all the soft tissue of your body. Most
people think that yoga is just about stretching or that it’s
just too passive of an activity. Yet most people don’t really
know what “yoga” really is. Yoga means union or balance. An
appropriate yoga practice is about creating a balance within
your body of concurrent strength to flexibility. And a balance
of strength to flexibility yields profound endurance.
What I love most
about yoga is its inherent “flexibility.” What I mean is to
say that an appropriate yoga practice can be done slowly and
concisely for people who are out of shape or who have been
chronically ill or injured. Yet an appropriate yoga practice
can also challenge the most physically conditioned athlete.
I know this for a fact as not only do I teach both, but I
personally have been on both sides of athleticism and chronic
illness and have found yoga to be a fabulous tool for either.
Article
by yoga instructor Sam Dworkis, auther of Recovery Yoga
and ExTension. Visit his web site at www.extensionyoga.com
.
The above article
is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
or condition. A qualified health care professional should
be consulted before beginning ExTension or Recovery Yoga,
or any exercise program. Read the rest of our disclaimer
and terms of use.
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